The Government has in the last two weeks been commissioning hydro power plants on both Upolu and Savai’i as it continues the push to become 100 percent reliant on renewable energy by 2025. Our reporter Yolanda Lavatai went and met members of the public to get their views on the issue.

The issue of the minimum wage is back on the agenda. While most people agree that $2.30 an hour is not enough, the Government says the decision to increase is totally dependent on the private sector and whether they can afford it. What do you think? And if there were an increase, why? Soli Wilson asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

An Associate Minister, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has called for tougher penalties for anyone charged and found guilty of first-degree murder. His comments follow the sentencing of Simanu’a Manuele of Falefa and Toamua — who pleaded guilty to two charges of murder — and was given a life imprisonment sentence by the Supreme Court. Leala said in many cases, murder convicts are placed on parole after ten years. This is not fair considering the seriousness of the offending. What do you think? Yumi Epati Tala’ave and Misiona Simo asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

The heavy downpours of late have damaged a lot of road infrastructure in Samoa. Motorists in most parts of the country are having to navigate the multiple potholes and some of the more challenging road conditions that exist. This is not the first time this has happened in Samoa though. Bad roads at this time of the year is a common occurrence. What do you think the Government should do to improve our roads? Reporter Yumi Epati Tala’ave asked in today’s Street Talk and this is what people said:

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has not backed down from his “fake news” claims in recent days against Government critics and those raising concerns about customary lands alienation. Reporter Yolanda Lavatai and photographer Talaia Mika meet members of the public to get their views.

“ The mysterious death of chickens at Safa’atoa, Lefaga led to an investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Ministry has now confirmed that the chickens were infected with the contagious disease Fowl Cholera, leading to their demise. Reporter Yolanda Lavatai and Misiona Simo spoke to members of the public to get their views on the issue.

The New Year comes with many new year resolutions. Reporters Talaia Mika and Yolanda Lavatai took to the streets of Apia yesterday to find out what people have as their resolutions for 2019. This is what the people said:

Lupesoliai Joseph Parker’s third round knockout of American-Mexican heavyweight boxer Alexander Flores last Saturday night in Christchurch, New Zealand got him back into the winner’s circle. Our reporter Soli Wilson talks to members of the public on what they thought of the victory.

Samoa joined the international community last Saturday December 1 to mark the 2018 World AIDS Day with a parade, a float and speeches by dignitaries including Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i met members of the public to get their views on the deadly disease and what should be done.

“The controversy behind the Government’s decision to tax church ministers has been a topical issue this year. Recently,
Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, confirmed that eight church ministers of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) have been charged for not filing their tax returns and more will be charged in the coming weeks. Reporter Soli Wilson talks to members of the public to get their views on the issue.

Manu Samoa finally got a win in their Northern Hemisphere Tour early Sunday morning, when they came out 28-10 victors over Spain. Our Reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talks to members of the public to get their views on the victory and what head Coach Steve Jackson should focus on in the lead-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Today marks exactly 20 years since Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi was sworn in as Samoa’s sixth Prime Minister when his predecessor Tofilau Eti Alesana stood down due to ill health. Our reporter Soli Wilson talked to members of the public yesterday to get their views on the performance of the P.M. to date.

“ Manu Samoa recently suffered another loss in their Northern Hemisphere Tour, this time at the hands of Georgia. A week earlier Samoa’s national rugby team lost to America. The two losses have triggered public debate. Our reporter Soli Wilson recently went out and got the views of the public, on what the Manu Samoa Coach should do, to get the team back to winning their games.

Attempts by two unidentified men, who tried to attack Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi in Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday night has shocked the nation and triggered condemnation from various fronts. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i speaks to the public to get their views on the issue.

National airline Samoa Airways is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talked to members of the public to get their views on the performance of the airline and its services.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi last week criticised the performance of nurses in Samoa and accused them of “unprofessional behaviour”.
Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i in a Street Talk hears the views of members of the public and what they think of Tuilaepa’s criticism.

The Land Transport Authority-owned operated parking meters - which were installed in various parts of the Apia business district - went into operation this Monday. Our reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talks to members of the public to get their views on what they think about the new revenue-generation system for the L.T.A.

With the Government declaring tomorrow November 7 a public holiday, to mark 100 years since the infectious pneumonic influenza came to our shores and wiped out 22 per cent of Samoa’s population, reporter Yolanda Lavata’i talks to members of the public to get their views on the issue and the Government’s plans to commemorate the day at Vaimoso.

The Government recently announced an increase in retail prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene effective November 1. Reporter Yolanda Lavata’i interviewed different members of the public to get their views on the price increase.

Dear Editor,
Re: Don’t be easily fooled
You know very well these changes to land ownership does not happen overnight. The negative impact of L.T.R.A. will only be fully understood many years from now, but you probably won’t be around to see it hence why you don’t care. It’s a slow trickling effect and more customary land issues will surface.

Lopau Mapuinuumanaia remembers the day his village in southeastern Samoa was torn apart. On 29 September 2009, the 59-year- old farmer was up early planting banana and taro seedlings when he felt the earth shake violently.